Community Updates (13) – Aug 8, 2014

Community Updates (13) – Aug 8, 2014

1) Speak up, now is the time to ask questions - to your Mayoral Candidates

2) Scout Island Nature Centre Activities

a) Potluck Dinner

b) "Voyage of the Voyageurs"

c)"Night Life"

d)"Discovering Nature close-up"

3) Station House Gallery: Call for Submissions for 2015 Exhibition Year

4) Art WALK - The 2014 Art Walk and Sale officially began

5) Performances in the Park - Schedule

6) From the Recreation Complex

a) The Fall/Winter 2014 Active Living Guide is now online

b) Water Safety Instructor Course - Aug 11 - 15th

c) Rookie Hockey lessons (ages 5-9)

7) Free weekly Baseball & Mountain Biking with the Boys & Girls Club

8) Big Brothers Big Sister's Annual "Tour de Cariboo" - Sept 6th

9)From the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society

a) Art ROUTE

b) We've been bombed! Yarn-bombed, that is!

c) Culture Days 2014!

10) Williams Lake Wanderers Outdoor Activity Group - August Schedule*

11) Living Wage Tele-Learning - The Intersection Between Living Wage & Minimum Wage

12) The 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk is happening on Sunday August 24th in Boitanio Park

13) New Realities, New Relationships - 2014 Conference – September 25 – 27

1) Speak up, because now is the time to ask questions - talk to your Mayoral Candidates via Social Planning Council

City Council Elections for the City of Williams Lake are coming up. Do you have questions you want to ask the candidates? As always, you can have your voice heard via the Social Planning Council. We are going to prepare a set of questions, forward them to the candidates for their response, and then publish their answers. You can submit your questions completely anonymously via https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KKZN6NC. If you are concerned your questions is irrelevant, or not under the Social Planning Council "umbrella" that's ok, still send it for consideration.

2) Scout Island Nature Centre Activities

a) Aug 11 7:00 pm - Potluck Dinner. The Sustainable Living Leadership Program participants will be at the Nature House for a potluck dinner.  Williams Lake is a traditional stop on their annual journey from the headwaters of the Fraser to Vancouver, tracing the route of salmon migration.   Come learn about this exciting program and the sustainability projects the participants are designing.  Please RSVP 398-8532 and plan to bring extra food to share with the voyagers. http://rivershed.com/sustainable-living-leadership-program

b) Aug 13th 1:00 - 3:00 pm at SINC- Voyage of the Voyageurs (short)

Scout Island Nature Centre (SINC)& WL Field Naturalists present Voyage of the Voyageurs. A Free Public Program made possible by Field Naturalist fundraising and volunteer time.

Kids 5 and up who attend Nature Fun on this special day can help paddle the magnificent Voyageur canoes on Williams Lake (or ride along if they’re too little) for an hour. There is room for 20 children at a time.

Each child must bring an approved, appropriately-sized life jacket.

Adult ones are not safe for small bodies.

Singing of “Frere Jacques” optional.

There will be regular activities for 3 and 4 year olds.

The week’s theme is Reptiles and Amphibians.

Email scoutisland@shaw.ca for further details and to register. We will send you a waiver form that must be signed  before your children can ride.

c) Aug 19 7:30-9:30 - "Night Life" at Scout Island Nature Centre.  Listen for bats - Visit the beavers at work - Watch the underwater invertebrates with flashlights (they’re very active!).  Bring a flashlight that shines red (or we will have red cellophane to cover your white light).

Free for all ages

d) It's the last two weeks of "Discovering Nature close-up". For more information or to register call 250-398-8532 or email scoutisland@shaw.ca

August 11-15 is Reptiles and Amphibians

August 18-21 is Mammals Inside and Out

Monday-Friday 9:30-11:30 or 1-3pm for Ages 3-13 (10 dollars per session)

All Day Special Tuesdays (ages 8 - 13)

Art in Nature 9:30-3pm ($20)

The day will include learning to Sketch with a Local Artist

3) Station House Gallery: Call for Submissions for 2015 Exhibition Year

We invite all artists (individuals or groups) to submit proposals for the 2015 Exhibition year. Deadline: September 27th, 2014 by 5:00 pm

Your submission must include:

A proposal including artist statement and project description (500 words max).

A description of technical requirements for your proposed project (If applicable).

A Curriculum Vitae (an artist’s resume which features educational, professional and personal facts relevant to your artistic background).

Visual and/or Audio support material for your proposal (contact the Gallery for specifications)

A list describing all your support material and visual documentation including titles, media, dimensions of work and year of production. Please specify whether or not they are examples of work or works to be exhibited.

Please do not send original artworks. All material must be both PC & Mac OSX compatible.

The Gallery selection committee will choose from among all submissions received to create a diverse and interesting exhibition schedule for 2015.   Artists will be notified no later than 30 days after the deadline regarding acceptance.  If you require more information regarding the station house gallery space, layout or policies, please feel free to contact the Exhibition Coordinator.  The Station House Gallery welcomes all forms of art for submission.

Exhibition proposals may be dropped off at the gallery or mailed to:

GALLERY SELECTION COMMITTEE

C/O STATION HOUSE GALLERY

#1 MACKENZIE AVE. N.

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. V2G 1N4

For More Info Contact:

coordinator@stationhousegallery.com or visit www.stationhousegallery.com

4) Art WALK - The 2014 Art Walk and Sale officially began

August 7 to September 6, 2014. Great art, prizes, entertainment and exercise. Call/text Arty at 250-398-8826 or williedye@shaw.ca to get involved.

The art walk runs Aug. 7 to Sept. 6 and features the work of 52 artists paired with local businesses for display. Artists from Bella Coola, Merritt, Sun Peaks, Horsefly, Kelowna, Hornby Island will join artists from Williams Lake in showing their work during the walk.

All types of art is represented on the walk including oils, water colours, pencil drawings, pottery, acrylics, weaving, photography, airbrush art, quilting, carving, jewellery, doll making and more. There will be great prizes, great murals to see and a great opportunity for exercise, say organizers. As in past years there will be a silent auction of art happening during the walk.

Every year Art Walk attempts to find an extra special reason for people to do the walk other than to view the great art. This year the reason is another impressive grand prize, a necklace, handcrafted by local jeweller Geoff Bourdon.

Their names and mediums are as follows but more information is available in the Art Walk booklet arriving in  mailboxes this week, and available at participating locations.

Leslie Rowse: photographer; Sears.

Allison Bos: photographer; Cariboo Chiropractic and Medical Centre.

Bruce Charbonneau: painter, printmaker, sculptor; RONA.

Jazmyn Douillard: illustrator/graphic designer; Johnston Meier Insurance Agencies Group.

Devon Chappell: artist; Bean Counter Bistro & Coffee Bar.

Kim Culbert: photographer; Williams Lake Library.

George Phillips: scroll and fret woodwork;  Williams Lake and District Credit Union.

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin: features art by Vivian Cowan, Sonia Cornwall, Harvey Overton, Hazel Henry, Dave Abbott, Bess Goutiere, Ed Deak, John Dyson, Enid Wright, L.H. Singlehurst, Joe Poole, Gertrude Dingwall, John Schnurrenberger, Len Monical Sculptures, First Nations crafts and beaded buckskins.

Randi Evans: painter; Williams Lake City Hall.

IBEA’s Quilting:  Yvonne Teskey, Carolyn Gribling, Alayne Steward, Denise Frank, Andrea Hughes, Brenda Hughes, Barb Bowles, Victoria Scott, Faith Andre, and Marion Corless.

Chris Hornby: photographer; Creative Accents.

Hazel Loring Henry: painter; Stay-Well Health Foods.

Lesley Lloyd: potter; Audio-Video Unlimited.

Kathy Lauriente: painter; End of the Roll.

Anne Kohut: painter;  Laketown Furnishings.

Laureen Carruthers: photographer; Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

Christy Richardson: potter; Tribune.

Craig and Esther Innes: wood carving; Cariboo Dental Clinic.

Tahirih Goffic: painter; Barking Spider.

Station House Gallery: Community Roots: Inspirations from the Potato House Project in the main gallery. Conspiracy Case features a unique research installation by Edwin Janzen in the upper gallery.

Elisabeth Hoelderl: painter/potter; Cariboo Book Bin.

Liz Twan: photographer; Frame Creations by Bruce.

Amber Cawston: custom leather; Reddog’s Horse and Rider Outfitters

Carvers Linda Bifford, Wanda Scott, Barb Lambe, Mary Robertson, Toni Hooker, Azel Gonzales, and Cathey Hamel: DarlaWear.

Darlene Doskoch: photographer; Lake City Glass.

Spence and Elizabeth Darlington: photographers; Eloquence Spa and Salon.

Joan Beck: potter; Dollar Dollar store.

Mark Kopp: painter;  Bank of Montreal.

Sharon Sipes: paper tole art; Elaine’s Natural Foods.

Donna Williams: glass artist; Mulberry Lane.

Geoff Bourdon: jewellery designer; Woodland Jewellers.

Bev Pemberton: potter; BFF Fashions.

Dorothy Ingalls: painter; Annie’s Attic.

Reva Schick: dollmaker; J&E Gifts and Treasure’s.

John Dell: videographer; Sight and Sound.

Jamin Crego: illustrator/painter; The Computer Access Center.

Jacob Gillespie: sculptor; Lush Elegance with an Edge.

Bruce Charbonneau: painter/printmaker/sculptor; 3Gen Cabinetry.

Colleen Kielman: potter; O-Netrix.

Larry Johannesen: illustrator; United Carpet.

Wayne Higgins: painter; Western Financial Group.

Lynn Bonner: blacksmith/stainless steel, silver jewellery; M&M Meat Shops.

Suzie Ambrose: photographer; Taylor Made Cakes and Sweets.

Dwayne Davis: muralist/multimedia artist; Lake City Auto Care Mall.

Harvey Overton: painter; Lake City Ford.

5) Performances in the Park - Schedule

Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake. This year’s line-up for Performances in the Park summer concert series rocks!  Get your lawn chairs ready and prepare for a musical celebration for the whole family every Thursday night in Boitanio Park from July 3^rd to August 21^st, 2014 with talented local, national and international performers.

From 6 – 6:45 pm and then from 7 – 8 pm, each night will be filled with family friendly entertainment.  Having two time slots provides opportunity for young performers to grow their stage legs and, on some nights, we will have two main acts.

Cody‘s Bannock, Smashin’ Smoothies and Taylor Made Cakes will be on hand with snacks available during the performances.  July 31 to August 21 will have exhibitions with Art as part of the 2014 Art Walk and Sale. The WaterWise Brigade will be on site on dates yet to be announced. 

Schedule of performances:

On August 7^th, Point Blank, a new exciting duo that plays the best of blues and rock covers on acoustic versions and Genevieve Chatwick from Australia, who ‘looks like an angel, roars like a lion and plays guitar like a demon’ will take the stage.

The Cariboo Men’s Choir and Just for Fun Ladies’ group are teaming up on August 14^th to open the show for Don Alder, our ‘home-town boy Guitar Hero’ who dazzles audiences with jaw dropping performances.  He is returning to Williams Lake to celebrate his Grandma’s 100^th birthday.

The final performance night on August 21^st will see Robyn Ferguson and Oren Barter team up once again on stage.  Following this act is Sam Tudor, who after a year in Vancouver that was both performance intensive and full of genre bending musical projects, is at home playing songs from his new album.

Please check out www.facebook.com/performancesinthepark or www.centralcaribooarts.com/events/performancespark.html for updates, details and pictures from the summer Performances in the Park concerts. 

For more information or for interviews please contact Angela Sommer performances@ centralcaribooarts.com or call 250-305-4784

6) From the Recreation Complex

a) The Fall/Winter 2014 Active Living Guide is now available - check out their course offerings for the arts! View the Guide online at http://williamslake.ca/153/Active-Living-Guide

b) Water Safety Instructor Course - Aug 11 - 15th (Monday to Friday from 9am - 2pm). Cost - $313.13. The course is twenty-five hours with twelve hours of practice teaching. For more information please call 250-398-7665.

c) Rookie Hockey lessons (ages 5-9) - Aug 18 - 22nd or Aug 25 - 28th. Participants must be able to get up by themselves on the ice and take a few steps prior to registration. For more information call 250-398-7665

7) Free weekly Baseball & Mountain Biking with the Boys & Girls Club

a) Baseball for ages 6 - 12 until August 27th on Tuesday's from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in Kiwanis Park

b) Mountain Biking Program - two levels: 1) Intermediate/Advanced (suggested ages 12 - 18) on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, and 2) Beginner/Intermediate (suggested ages 7  - 11) on Thursday's from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

8) Big Brothers Big Sister's Annual "Tour de Cariboo" - Sept 6th

Set your next fitness challenge on the Tour de Cariboo, a 76 km bike ride from Williams Lake to Gavin Lake. 76km a bit much for you? Split it up with friends and family and form a relay team. There are absolutely no rules for the team. Make up your own with as few or many riders as you like. Ride a little ride alot - challenge yourself.

To learn more visit www.bbswlake.com or call 250-398-8391

9) From the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society

a) Art ROUTE

Looking for something to do with your visitors? A family outing? Wanting to meet some of our local artists and see them in action? Look no further! The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society and Fraser Basin Council, with the support of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and the Cariboo Regional District, are pleased to present the Central Cariboo Art Route. This project is supported by the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program under the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

The Central Cariboo Art Route is a year round, self-guided tour that showcases our region's artists and artisans. By using this interactive guide to help map out your travels through our region, you will have the chance to connect with artists at work and gain a deeper sense of their practice.

Please, don't be shy about contacting artists or visiting studios during posted hours - we look forward to welcoming you!

With the support of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, the Cariboo Regional District, Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin, and by the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program under the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.

Brochures may be found at participating studios and businesses, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre (90 Fourth Avenue North), at various Tourist Information centres across the province, or online at http://www.centralcaribooarts.com/assets/files/ArtRouteBrochure_web.pdf

Don't forget to 'like' us on Facebook (http://centralcaribooarts.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4bec4e96608908765cb86b0a0&id=7fae7e63e1&e=469b2f0bad) for updates!

b) We've been bombed! Yarn-bombed, that is!

Can you tell the WL Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists' were here? Thanks to the Community Arts Council of Williams Lake and Area for organizing the 'bombings'! They can be seen on trees like those in Herb Gardner Park in front of the City of Williams Lake.

c) Culture Days 2014!

Culture Days is a collaborative movement to encourage awareness, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Now in its fifth year, this Canada-wide celebration represents the largest-ever public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in this country. Culture Days will feature free hands-on activities that invite the public to participate in the “behind-the-scenes” world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work. Through this exchange, artists and creators have a unique opportunity to engage people of all ages in their creative practice. Culture Days will take place September 26-28, 2014, in all provinces and territories.

For more information, please visit http://culturedays.ca/en

If you have any questions about participating in Culture Days, please contact:

Nazanin Shoja, Culture Days BC Coordinator

Tel: 604-681-3535 ext. 214

culturedays@allianceforarts.com

Note: The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society and Community Arts Council of Williams Lake both support Culture Days and are available to assist you and your organization with registering your event with culturedays.ca so that Central Cariboo residents can participate in our numerous arts and cultural activities. The Central Cariboo Arts Centre is available to groups needing a venue for their event - contact CCACS Coordinator Leah Selk at info@centralcaribooarts.comabout available opportunities.

10) Williams Lake Wanderers Outdoor Activity Group - August Schedule*

Throughout August the longer activity will take place on Wednesdays – usually kayaking alternating with biking. For these longer activities bring a lunch & be prepared to give a few dollars (probably 5 or under)  to your driver if they are transporting you or your bike/kayak for any distance.

We will leave the Sam Ketcham Complex at 8:30am, so come around 8:15 to get organized. We always begin our outings from there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, so you can fill out a membership form and pay your $10 annual fee if you wish to become a member. Once you're a member, you will receive emails with schedule and schedule changes. Schedules and updates are also on Facebook.

*August Schedule

Tues Aug 5 – Mission Road bike

Wed Aug 6 – Kayak on Felker Lake

Thurs Aug 7 –  Valley Rim walk

Tues Aug 12 – Anderson Road to lookout bike

Wed Aug 13 – Chimney Lake bike

Thurs Aug 14 – Long Lake hike

Tues Aug 19 – West Fraser Road bike

Wed Aug 20 – Kayak on McLeese Lake ( hamburgers supplied by Gail; potluck supplements please)

Thurs Aug 21 – Lemon Lakewalk

Tues Aug 26 – Coldhart Road bike

Wed Aug 27–Gavin Lake walk( a cabin has been booked for the night of the 26^th if enough are interested in an overnight Gavin adventure)

Thurs Aug 28 – Box Trailwalk

All of these activities are subject to change according to weather conditions, so keep an eye on your email/Facebook daily!!

Members' Monthly Breakfast Social

Our no host breakfast get together for conversation & new ideas for outings will be Thursday August 21^st, at 7:15 am at Denny’s.

11) Living Wage Tele-Learning - The Intersection Between Living Wage & Minimum Wage

"Hi All,

I took part in a tele-learning call in July about the Living Wage. I am forwarding the links to further information for those who are interested. This discussion is a part of our ongoing concern with Poverty Alleviation in the community.

Thanks!

Sharon"

----- Forwarded message from Tamarack Institute -----

Dear Sharon,

Thank you for participating in our July 10, 2014 tele-learning call, "The Intersection Between Living Wage and Minimum Wage" with Trish Hennessy, Adam Vasey and Leilani Farha.

The interview has been posted and can be listened to or downloaded from http://vibrantcanada.ca/content/intersection-between-living-wage-and-minimum-wage-0 We did experience some technical difficulties through the call and we appreciated your patience throughout this event.

Be sure to check our http://tamarackcommunity.ca/events.html for more upcoming tele-learning calls and exciting learning events! Join one of Tamarack's Online Learning Communities for access to the latest resources, a huge community of knowledge and support, group discussions, upcoming events, and more.

We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email: tamarack@tamarackcommunity.ca, like us on Face book or follow us on twitter @Tamarack_Inst.

Thanks again for participating in the call. We look forward to connecting with you again soon!   

Sincerely,

The Tamarack Team

12) The 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk is happening on Sunday August 24th in Boitanio Park
One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease, and there is no cure.  But you can help! Be part of The 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk. This year also marks a very special occasion – it’s The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s 50th anniversary. We have a lot to be proud of including raising over one million dollars since our first Kidney Walk in 2008. With your help, we can make the 2014 Walk campaign an even bigger success!"

What: 2nd Annual Kidney Walk
When: Sunday August 24th
Where: Boitanio Park
Registration: 9:00am
Walk Start: 10:00 am
Registration Fee : Free
Website: www.williamslakekidneywalk.ca
Other: Silent Auction, Food Vendor, Kids Events
Contact: williamslakewalk@kidney.bc.ca

For more info and to register, donate, volunteer, or become a donor visit williamslakekidneywalk.ca

or call Barb at 1-800-567-8112 ext. 228 or contact Tracy Short, 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk Coordinator, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch at 250.392.1022. Like us on facebook to receive announcements and keep up with Kidney Walk news: www.facebook.com/kidneywalksbc

13) New Realities, New Relationships - 2014 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation National Conference – September 25 – 27

Early Bird Registration Extended to August 15, 2014. Register now and benefit from the early registration discount!

The Community Development Institute at UNBC will host the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation’s annual conference September 25-27, 2014 in Prince George, BC.

For more information about the conference visit http://billreimer.net/CRRF/?page_id=2672

Allison Clarke, Research Assistant

Community Development Institute 

University of Northern British Columbia

3333 University Way

Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9

Tel: 250-960-5952

Email: allison.clarke@unbc.ca

Web: www.unbc.ca/CDI

Community Updates (20) - July 25, 2014

1) Housing Need and Demand Study Update Released
2) Williams Lake Kidney Walk - Sunday Aug 24th in Boitanio Park
3) Join the call for a Poverty Free BC
4)"Collective Impact in Rural Communities" - by Anne Burrill
5) New Realities, New Relationships program draft online
6) Scout Island Nature Centre Programs & Activities
7) Performances in the Park - Schedule
8) Water Safety Instructor Course - Aug 11 - 15th
9) Rookie Hockey lessons (ages 5-9) - August 2014
10) Free Outdoor Film in Boitanio Park- Thur Jul 31st
11) Junior Council - Want to serve your community?
12) Summer programs from the Recreation Complex
13) Boys & Girls Club - free weekly activities
14) Punky Lake Wilderness Camp - summer camps
15) Annual - ArtsWells Festival from Aug 1 - 4th
16) "Master the Game of Math" youth series Aug 5 - 28th
17) Big Brothers Big Sister's Annual "Tour de Cariboo" - Sept 6th
18) Little Chiefs Primary School - enrollment for K4 - grade 3
19) Online survey from TRU - Child & Youth Care programs
20) Letter of Support for ECE Program at TRU

1) Housing Need and Demand Study Update Released
The City of Williams Lake is pleased to release the 2014 Housing Need and Demand results. The document supplements and updates the full study, which was completed in 2012. It provides a snapshot of the existing affordable housing stock, along with outlining future needs for affordable housing.

“It is our intention to use this information for the community to move forward in addressing the wide range of housing needs in our community” says Anne Burrill, Manager of Social Development.

“Understanding housing needs can be a real challenge as there is a wide range of housing types and needs,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “This study outlines the needs along the whole housing continuum, from shelter beds to rental housing and affordable home ownership.”

The update identifies housing for youth, as well as low income single people, families and seniors as a priority for the community. Although Williams Lake currently has 330 units of affordable supportive housing (including shelter beds) in the community, the study estimates that there is a need for at least 200 more, plus additional housing for students. And within the bigger picture of affordable market and non-market housing, the study identifies the need for over 800 more units of affordable housing.

“This gives us a great tool to move affordable housing forward,” says Mayor Cook. The City is grateful to the United Way for $9,800 in funding for the housing study update.

View the report online at: http://www.williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/828

2)The 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk is happening on Sunday August 24th in Boitanio Park

Be the Movement. Be Involved. Make a difference. Join our 2014 Kidney Walk in Williams Lake on August 24, 2014 at Boitanio Park! Small steps can make a big difference in the lives of the 1 in 10 British Columbians affected by kidney disease.

What: 2nd Annual Kidney Walk
When: Sunday August 24th
Where: Boitanio Park
Registration: 9:00am
Walk Start: 10:00 am
Registration Fee : Free
Website: www.williamslakekidneywalk.ca
Other: Silent Auction, Food Vendor, Kids Events
Contact: williamslakewalk@kidney.bc.ca

"One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease, and there is no cure.  But you can help!

Be part of The 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk.  The Kidney Walks are community-led events dedicated to raising awareness and funds for kidney disease, and the importance of organ donation.   Be the movement! Register to participate @ williamslakekidneywalk.ca sponsor a walker, volunteer or register to be a donor.

This year marks a very special occasion – it’s The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s 50th anniversary. We have a lot to be proud of and it’s in large part thanks to our wonderful volunteers and supporters over the years who have contributed significantly to the Foundation, including our Kidney Walk/Run in BC which has raised over one million dollars since our first Kidney Walk in 2008. With your help, we can make the 2014 Walk campaign an even bigger success!"

Like us on facebook to receive announcements and keep up with Kidney Walk news: www.facebook.com/kidneywalksbc

Register online at www.williamslakekidneywalk.ca or call Barb at 1-800-567-8112 ext. 228. For additional information please visit williamslakewalk@kidney.bc.ca or contact Tracy Short, 2014 Williams Lake Kidney Walk Coordinator, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch at 250.392.1022

3) Join the call for a Poverty Free BC - support the Poverty Reduction Act

BC has the highest poverty rate in Canada and no plan to tackle it directly. Join the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan for BC, and be part of the almost 400 organizations that have already signed up. This represents a collective membership of over 300,000 people throughout the province. Together we can make a difference!
Read the Letter Template below, and then click the link at the end to submit one on your behalf within seconds.

"Dear Premier Clark,
(cc'ed to other political leaders)

We are ashamed of the levels of poverty and homelessness in a society as wealthy as ours. At 10.7 per cent, BC has the highest poverty rate in Canada. Yet BC is one of only two provinces left without a comprehensive poverty reduction plan.

You have an opportunity before you to take strong and meaningful action on this issue and we urge you to support Bill M212: The Poverty Reduction and Economic Inclusion Act.

We know that all of us pay for poverty. We pay in increased health care costs. We pay in higher crime. We pay in higher demand for community, social and charitable services. And we pay in lack of school readiness, reduced school success and in lower economic productivity. People who are poor get sick more and die earlier, and poor children may not reach their full physical and social developmental potential.

There is a false economy in failing to act boldly. Paying for the negative effects of poverty costs much more than dealing with it directly. Let’s stop mopping up the floor and fix the hole in the roof.

This is a critical issue in communities throughout the province. Now is the time for bi-partisan collaboration and action in addressing the root causes of poverty.

Sincerely,
Your name"

CLICK the following link to submit letter on your behalf: http://bcpovertyreduction.ca/email-the-premier/

For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/BCPovertyReductionCoalition or http://bcpovertyreduction.ca/

4)"Collective Impact in Rural Communities" - Submitted by Anne Burrill on June 25, 2014
http://tamarackcci.ca/blogs/anne-burrill/collective-impact-rural-communities

A fishbowl for developing collective impact models

Rural and small communities typically have fewer resources in terms of services and programs to address social needs, and they often are focused on direct service delivery with little opportunity to take a step back to look at the 'big issues'. Sometimes they feel like those issues are so big and unwieldy, and that there is little a small community can do beyond band-aid approaches. They have trouble getting on the political agenda of decision makers at the provincial and federal level, and accessing funding for new and innovative initiatives requires more resources than are available. But I believe small communities have the ability to mobilize effectively in a way that can model the collective impact approach and offer insights for larger communities. Here’s why.

Collective impact has five key conditions: a common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. But the key ingredient for realizing these conditions is relationships. And small communities are immersed in relationship. In fact they are dependent on them. Organizations are generally small, and there are few of them. In order to do good work, collaboration, coordination, and shared approaches are necessary. That’s not to say that relationships among social service organizations are always easy, or even good. Sometimes they are fraught with conflict, competition for funding dollars, accusations of mission drift, and the challenges of filling gaps vs. duplication of services. But despite this landscape, in small communities relationships are necessary. And they are the foundation for collective impact.

I’m involved in and have initiated several collective impact initiatives in our small community (~ 15,000 pop.). They are at various stages between start-up and mature initiatives that have been underway for several years. A week ago we held a workshop on Housing First, which is essence a collective impact approach to ending homelessness. With 35 people representing less than 10 agencies, we had everyone we needed to muster a collective impact initiative, and to do so relatively quickly since we were able to agree on a common agenda (with some refinements to come). That’s because we know what services and resources we already have, what else we will need, and most importantly we know each other. There were certainly folks in the room who were challenging the Housing First model, and raising many issues, but because we have a relationship with those folks, we were able to see the debate as a constructive part of the process rather than an attempt to derail the initiative. And they will come back to the table in future discussions because of those relationships.

Rather than taking months or years to develop, collective impact approaches can get off the ground quickly in small communities where there are existing relationships and shared understanding of the challenges the community faces.
- See more at: http://tamarackcci.ca/blogs/anne-burrill/collective-impact-rural-communities#sthash.BfpRVrIb.dpuf

5) New Realities, New Relationships conference program draft is now available online

Good afternoon,

We are pleased to announce that the draft preliminary program for the 2014 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) National Conference, New Realities, New Relationships is now available online (see link below). The conference will be co-hosted by the Community Development Institute at UNBC and CRRF from September 25-27, 2014 in Prince George, BC.

The conference program focuses on strategies for building community and economic resilience in rural and resource-based regions. Workshop topics include community impact benefits agreements, regional economic development, land use planning, relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, community capacity and the health sector, recreation infrastructure, quality of life in communities, retaining youth in rural Canada, and more.

One of this year’s keynote speakers is Dr. Keith Storey, an Honorary Research Professor in the Geography Department at Memorial University. His presentation Fly-in/Fly-out: Addressing New Realities in the Resource Economy will focus on the need for mobile workforces in remote locations where both labour and accommodation shortages are key challenges. Dr. Storey’s presentation will briefly trace the evolution of fly-in/fly-out and its variants and some of the key issues that have emerged from the perspectives of communities and policy makers concerned with the new rural and resource economy.

Dr. Storey’s primary research interests are focused on three key areas: social and economic consequences of resource development, social and economic impact assessment and management, and regional and community development. His work also examines the implications of growth and closure in resource-dependent communities and impact management of large-scale resource projects. In recent years much of his efforts have been concentrated in the oil and gas, mining, hydro, and construction sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador, northern and western Canada, Western Australia, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Please click on the following link to review the draft preliminary program: http://www.crrf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ProgramOutline18July2014.pdf

For more information contact:
Marleen Morris, Co-Director    
Community Development Institute at UNBC
3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9
Tel:  250-960-9806 Email: marleen.morris@unbc.ca

6) Scout Island Nature Centre Activities
a) Aug 11 7:00 pm - The Sustainable Living Leadership Program participants will be at the Nature House for a potluck dinner.  Williams Lake is a traditional stop on their annual journey from the headwaters of the Fraser to Vancouver, tracing the route of salmon migration.   Come learn about this exciting program and the sustainability projects the participants are designing.  Please RSVP 398-8532 and plan to bring extra food to share with the voyagers. http://rivershed.com/sustainable-living-leadership-program

b) Aug 19 7:30-9:30 - "Night Life" at Scout Island Nature Centre.  Listen for bats - Visit the beavers at work - Watch the underwater invertebrates with flashlights (they’re very active!).  Free for all ages

c) Discovering Nature close-up - a new program each day, weekdays Jul 2 - Aug 21st - two groups: 1) Ages 3-8 ($10/per session), and 2) Ages 8 - 13 ($10/per session). For more information or to register call 250-398-8532 or email scoutisland@shaw.ca

Note: Change of schedule for Nature Fun at Scout Island Nature Centre

Pre-teens have been asking for more Nature time this summer.  So, we will welcome 8-12 year olds on Monday to Thursday afternoons, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm ($10 per session) in addition to their all-day Tuesdays from 9:30-3:00 ($20).  Mini-lessons, games and adventures will be geared to that age group.

The 3-8 year olds can still come for morning (Mon-Fri 9:30-11:30) or afternoon (Mon-Thurs 1:00 to 3:00) sessions and will have their own activities.

As always, parents need to register beforehand at 398-8532 or scoutisland@shaw.ca to be sure there is space available .

7) Performances in the Park - Schedule
Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake. This year’s line-up for Performances in the Park summer concert series rocks!  Get your lawn chairs ready and prepare for a musical celebration for the whole family every Thursday night in Boitanio Park from July 3rd to August 21st, 2014 with talented local, national and international performers.

From 6 – 6:45 pm and then from 7 – 8 pm, each night will be filled with family friendly entertainment.  Having two time slots provides opportunity for young performers to grow their stage legs and, on some nights, we will have two main acts.

Cody‘s Bannock, Smashin’ Smoothies and Taylor Made Cakes will be on hand with snacks available during the performances.  July 31 to August 21 will have exhibitions with Art as part of the 2014 Art Walk and Sale. The WaterWise Brigade will be on site on dates yet to be announced.

Schedule of performances:

July 31st will feature Cariboo Idol, a local contest that is about confidence building, supporting community and each other through music and song followed by local rock band Soupbone a funk powered blues/rock band from Williams Lake BC. Just take some crazy Texas-style blues guitar - mix with some smooth Soul and R&B and add to that the funkiest rhythm section this side of Motown, strong vocal performances, great song writing and a bunch of fun and you’ve got SOUPBONE!

The WLBIA and Fortis BC is presenting a Big Screen Movie following the Performance on July 31 at Boitanio Park.  The Movie will be Despicable Me 2.

On August 7th, Point Blank, a new exciting duo that plays the best of blues and rock covers on acoustic versions and Genevieve Chatwick from Australia, who ‘looks like an angel, roars like a lion and plays guitar like a demon’ will take the stage.

The Cariboo Men’s Choir and Just for Fun Ladies’ group are teaming up on August 14th to open the show for Don Alder, our ‘home-town boy Guitar Hero’ who dazzles audiences with jaw dropping performances.  He is returning to Williams Lake to celebrate his Grandma’s 100th birthday.

The final performance night on August 21st will see Robyn Ferguson and Oren Barter team up once again on stage.  Following this act is Sam Tudor, who after a year in Vancouver that was both performance intensive and full of genre bending musical projects, is at home playing songs from his new album.

Please check out www.facebook.com/performancesinthepark or www.centralcaribooarts.com/events/performancespark.html for updates, details and pictures from the summer Performances in the Park concerts.

For more information or for interviews please contact Angela Sommer performances@ centralcaribooarts.com or call 250-305-4784

8) Water Safety Instructor Course - Aug 11 - 15th
Aug 11 - 15th, Monday to Friday from 9am - 2pm. Cost - $313.13

Instructor candidates will focus on how to apply information from the assistant water safety instructor course and develop additional instructional skills, stroke development, drill and corrective strategies to plan, teach and evaluate the entire Red Cross swim continuum. The course is twenty-five hours with twelve hours of practice teaching. For more information please call 250-398-7665.

9) Rookie Hockey lessons (ages 5-9) - Aug 18 - 22nd or Aug 25 - 28th
Rookie Hockey lessons for children ages 5-9 - get a jump start on the hockey season! Learn hockey fundamentals - skating, passing, shooting, and maneuvering on the ice. Participants must be able to get up by themselves on the ice and take a few steps prior to registration. For more information call 250-398-7665

Aug 18 - 22nd - Monday to Friday 10:30 am - 12pm ($50.50)
Aug 25 - 28th - Monday to Thursday 10:30 am - 12 pm ($41.00)

10) Free Outdoor Film in Boitanio Park- Thur Jul 31st
"Despicable Me2" the film starts at 9 pm in Boitanio Park

11) Junior Council - Want to serve your community?
Do you know a returning high school student in Williams Lake who wants to serve your community and learn about local government? Encourage them to be the voice of the future for youth in Williams Lake.

For more information contact Anne Burrill at the City of Williams Lake by emailing aburrill@williamslake.ca or call 250-392-8480.

12) Summer programs from the Recreation Complex
Summer Day Camp:
It is really this much fun! Join qualified and energetic instructors each action packs week for theme activities including games, field trips, crafts, experiments and more much more. Register for one day, one week or the whole summer.

Ages: 5 - 12 and must have completed Kindergarten
July 2 - September 2, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Mountain Biking Skills Camp:
Join Kelli and Darren from Endless Biking this July and improve your mountain biking skills. These two have been biking professionally, teaching and guiding for year.

Check out the website @ www.activewilliamslake.com or give them a call @ 250.398.7665

13) Boys & Girls Club - free weekly activities
a) Baseball for ages 6 - 12 until August 27th on Tuesday's from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in Kiwanis Park

b) Mountain Biking Program - two levels: 1) Intermediate/Advanced (suggested ages 12 - 18) on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, and 2) Beginner/Intermediate (suggested ages 7  - 11) on Thursday's from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

14) Punky Lake Wilderness Camp - summer camps
Punky Lake Wilderness Camp is hosting a boys only camp out at Punky Lake on August 5-8th, and a Hockey camp in Williams Lake on August 28, 29th. For more information please visit http://punkylake.com/ or call 250-392-3918

15) 11th Annual - ArtsWells Festival from Aug 1 - 4th
From Aug 1 - 4th in Wells & Barkerville BC

ArtsWells Features:
• A Four Day Cleebration of the Arts
• Loads of Amazing Workshops and kids activities
• Over 80 musical acts of folk, jazz, country, funk, hip hop, electronic, world, pop, roots & more
• Other Performances include juggling, spoken word, fire spinning, puppetry, and more
• The International One Minute Play Festival
• A visual ArtWalk around the town of Wells
• Artisans Village
• Discounts to local attractions like Barkerville Historic Town - where you can catch more ArtsWells musical acts located just 8 km down the road

Mission: The ArtsWells Festival aims to promote, support and involve professional and emerging artists from all disciplines and areas of the province of British Columbia, in partnership with community members, business, government and tourism, in a weekend festival in the vibrant and historic town of Wells, BC. Through performances, workshops, exhibitions, networking and mentorship opportunities artists will gain skills, experience and exposure while providing the community with an enriching cultural event that will draw audiences from near and far.

For more information please phone 1-800-442-2787 or visit www.artswells.com

16) Learning Disabilities Association & the CDC's "Master the Game of Math" Aug 5 - 28th
Child Development Centre & Learning Disabilities Association of Williams Lake is offering a math group called "Master the Game of Math" series from Aug 5 - 28th. This group is intended for students aged 10 - 14 who struggle with mental math (especially times table facts). They will meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's Aug 5 - 28th to build skills through games and mini lessons. The cost is $100 for the month. Contact the Child Development Centre for more information at 250-392-4481.

17) Big Brothers Big Sister's Annual "Tour de Cariboo" - Sept 6th
Set your next fitness challenge on the Tour de Cariboo, a 76 km bike ride from Williams Lake to Gavin Lake. 76km a bit much for you? Split it up with friends and family and form a relay team. There are absolutely no rules for the team. Make up your own with as few or many riders as you like. Ride a little ride alot - challenge yourself.

To learn more visit www.bbswlake.com or call 250-398-8391

18) Little Chiefs Primary School - enrollment for K4 - grade 3
Creating the Future Together. Enroll your child today. Little Chiefs Primary School is now offering enrollment for K4 (born in 2010) to grade 3.

At Little Chiefs, we have the unique opportunity to provide students with individualized and experiential learning in our smaller classroom setting. We believe in positive learning experiences which are triggered by authentic learning in an environment where students, parents, teachers and the community can grow together. Nutrition Program, Read Well and Saxon Math programs, Language and Cultural Activities.

For more information please contact Lisa Boyd and Ashlie Pickles at 250-296-3507 or lisa.biyd@williamslakeband.ca or ashlie.pickles@williamslakeband.ca

19) Online survey from TRU -  support Child & Youth Care programs
The TRU School of Social Work and Human Service are investigating the feasibility of a new Child and Youth Care diploma program. We are eager to offer a program that meets the needs of all our community partners and stakeholders. For this reason, we are asking you to read a definition about Child and Youth Care Practice, and then complete this brief survey which will support us in understanding your agency/organizations interest and needs.

You are strongly encouraged to participate in the online survey being administered by TRU. The survey is by invitation so please send an email to Tanya Pawliuk at tpawliuk@tru.ca and she will forward you the link.  More background information is below.

20) Letter of Support for ECE Program at TRU- please read below and submit
Dear Community partners:

As you know, housing, transportation, and childcare have been identified as barriers to recruitment, retention, and sustainable growth in nearly every sector in the Cariboo.

Recently, the Williams Lake Human Service Advisory endorsed a recommendation to offer a full time Early Childhood Education diploma program beginning in Fall 2015. Jay Goddard, Human Service Worker Program Coordinator, also recommended that the program be staffed with a full-time limited term faculty (rather than with sessional instructors or through community U which increases the cost).

The TRU-Williams Lake leadership team is presently looking into targeted post-secondary funding available for programs with high employment demand.

To decide in favour of the program, the Provost of TRU needs to be convinced that the community can demonstrate the high employment demand for grads and give some indication that there will be enough students to offer the program locally. The broader the base of community support is, the more likely a favourable result is.

We are asking members of local industries, businesses, and organizations to write letters in support of TRU once again offering an affordable coordinated ECE (with regular tuition), either from a personal or an organizational point of view. The more anecdotal evidence we as a community can supply, the more convincing our argument can be.

Additional points to consider in writing letters:
the impact of not having day care spaces and thus limiting opportunities for new professionals
the focus of Humans Service on Child and youth care as a laddering opportunity for ECE grads.
Letters should be addressed to Dr. Ray Sanders, Executive Director, Williams Lake Campus rsanders@tru.ca and Patricia Neufeld Acting Dean, Faculty of Human, Social, and Educational Development pneufeld@tru.ca. If you prefer to mail a letter, the Williams Lake  and Kamloops addresses follow:

Thompson Rivers University, Williams Lake
1250 Western Avenue
Williams Lake, BC, Canada
V2G 1H7

Thompson Rivers University
900 McGill Road
Kamloops, BC, Canada
V2C 0C8

We hope to organize a stakeholder meeting in late 2014 or early 2015 to discuss this issue further. If you would like to be involved, please let Jessica Knodel know by return email.

"Talk" to you next week

Kindly send us any updates you would like included in next week's community updates that will be sent out on Friday July 25th!

Community Updates (17) - Jun 27, 2014

1) Stampede, Parade & Street Party events

2) Heritage Speaker Circle - Sunday Jun 29th from 1 - 4 pm

3) Canada Day events in Boitanio Park

4) Free Mountain Biking Bus Shuttles on weekends - beginning July 5th

5) Chew the Fat Event - Jul 5th at Station House Gallery

6) Performances in the Park 2014 

7) Garden Club Event - July 12th

8) Junior Council - Want to serve your community?

9) Punky Lake Wilderness Camp is hosting summer camps

10) Boys & Girls Club - free weekly activities

11) Free Event at the Library - A Sea Turtle Story

12) Summer programs from the Recreation Complex

13) Gardening workshops - Seed Saving & Mushroom Identification

14) Scout Island Nature Centre & the WL Field Naturalists's  - Nature Fun (Jul 2 - Aug 21)

15) Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy - Family Fun day at Bell-E Jul 13th from 11 am-3pm

16) Williams Lake Accessibility Committee - join the committee

17) Social Planning Council - summer 2014

1) Stampede, Parade & Street Party events

It's that time of year and Williams Lakers can feel the buzz in the air! Enjoy the events and the 88th Stampede celebrations & events.

Stampede Events - Jun 27, 28, 39 & 30th - http://www.williamslakestampede.com/events/

Parade - Jun 28th starting at 10am

Street Party - Jun 28th (after the parade) from 11:30 - 4pm in the downtown core

2) Heritage Speaker Circle - Sunday Jun 29th from 1 - 4 pm

At the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin meet 5 long-time residents who tell their stories about the 1950's & 60's. Free admissions and refreshments will be served. Sponsored in part by the Museum, The City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District. Everyone is welcome.

3) Canada Day events in Boitanio Park

From the City of Williams Lake - This year’s Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 is shaping up to be another exciting family event in Boitanio Park!

The festivities will begin at the Gwen Ringwood Theatre at 10 a.m. with the Royal Canadian Legion’s Colour Brigade. Bring a water bottle, picnic blanket and lawn chair to enjoy the entertainment on stage while the children play games with the Boitanio Day Camp staff. Performers include the Williams lake Youth Fiddlers and Perfect Match.

Brush up on your Canadian trivia as questions and prizes will be awarded throughout the event. The entire community is invited to come and enjoy cake for our country’s 147th birthday. The event concludes at 12 p.m.

4) Free Mountain Biking Bus Shuttles on weekends - beginning July 5th

The City, in partnership with the CRD and the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium is offering free mountain bike shuttles from 10 am - 6pm on Saturday's and Sundays (the bus will run every hour on the hour each weekend). The schedule is below:

July 5th - River Valley parking lot to Snakes and Ladders trailhead

July 6th - Fox Mountain - OV parking lot & bottom of Fox Mtn Road to Hillbilly & Mason Rd. trailhead

July 12th - South Lakeside - Canadian Tire to Dog Creek Road

July 13th - River Valley parking lot to Snakes and Ladders trailhead

July 19th - River Valley parking lot to Snakes and Ladders trailhead

Jul 20th - Fox Mountain - OV parking lot & bottom of Fox Mountain Road to Hillbilly and Mason Road trailheads

July 26th - South Lake side - Canadian Tire to Dog Creek Road

July 27th - River Valley parking lot to Snakes and Ladders trailhead

Shuttles will be filled on a first come first serve basis with 25% of the seats reserved for visiting riders. These seats if not filled by 5 minutes to the hour are open to locals. All participants are required to fill in a short questionnaire and sign a waiver. Youth 18 years or younger will need a parent or legal guardian with them to sign a consent form for each shuttle. A volunteer will be available on all shuttles to help direct riders to the biking route best suited to their style. Full details will be online at www.ridethecariboo.ca

5) Chew the Fat Event - Jul 5th at Station House Gallery

Jul 5 at 11:00am to Jul 6 at 4:00pm at the Station House Gallery

Come and Celebrate Williams Lake’s 85th birthday and opening reception for “My Williams Lake” Juried Summer Theme Show at the City’s oldest heritage building, the Station House Gallery!
A fundraiser for the repair of the gallery’s exterior. The dayss events will include live music, beer garden, family art activities including mural painting, silent auction, succulent sale, food, great company to share your stories with and more!
Come and join in the fun!

6) Performances in the Park 2014 

Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake. This year’s line-up for Performances in the Park summer concert series rocks!  Get your lawn chairs ready and prepare for a musical celebration for the whole family every Thursday night in Boitanio Park from July 3^rd to August 21^st, 2014 with talented local, national and international performers.

From 6 – 6:45 pm and then from 7 – 8 pm, each night will be filled with family friendly entertainment.  Having two time slots provides opportunity for young performers to grow their stage legs and, on some nights, we will have two main acts.

Cody‘s Bannock, Smashin’ Smoothies and Taylor Made Cakes will be on hand with snacks available during the performances.  July 31 to August 21 will have exhibitions with Arty the as part of the 2014 Art Walk and Sale. The WaterWise Brigade will be on site on dates yet to be announced. 

The series kicks off on July 3^th with Music for Life and Angelkeys Music Studio, featuring the sweet voices of Music for Life’s soloist and Angelkeys Children’s Choir followed by a bit of Swing/Jazz/Blues and Country by the new Williams Lake band Blue Note.

Beautifully Haunting will be featured on July 10th followed by Pugs and Crows, winners of the 2013 Juno Award for Best Instrumental Album of the Year.

July 17^th will see Discover Belly Dance followed by Drum and Bell Tower, a forge for melody and rhythm in time.

Perfect Match on July 24^th is a versatile dance band – easy on the ear and good for the heart is followed by original and indie world music, Cuban Son, Vallenatos, Cumbias, Chachacha and more by Nice Verdes.

July 31^st will feature Cariboo Idol, a local contest that is about confidence building, supporting community and each other through music and song followed by local rock band Soupbone a funk powered blues/rock band from Williams Lake BC. Just take some crazy Texas-style blues guitar - mix with some smooth Soul and R&B and add to that the funkiest rhythm section this side of Motown, strong vocal performances, great song writing and a bunch of fun and you’ve got SOUPBONE!   

The WLBIA and Fortis BC is presenting a Big Screen Movie following the Performance on July 31 at Boitanio Park.  The Movie will be Despicable Me 2.

On August 7^th, Point Blank, a new exciting duo that plays the best of blues and rock covers on acoustic versions and Genevieve Chatwick from Australia, who ‘looks like an angel, roars like a lion and plays guitar like a demon’ will take the stage.

The Cariboo Men’s Choir and Just for Fun Ladies’ group are teaming up on August 14^th to open the show for Don Alder, our ‘home-town boy Guitar Hero’ who dazzles audiences with jaw dropping performances.  He is returning to Williams Lake to celebrate his Grandma’s 100^th birthday.

The final performance night on August 21^st will see Robyn Ferguson and Oren Barter team up once again on stage.  Following this act is Sam Tudor, who after a year in Vancouver that was both performance intensive and full of genre bending musical projects, is at home playing songs from his new album.

Please check out www.facebook.com/performancesinthepark or www.centralcaribooarts.com/events/performancespark.html for updates, details and pictures from the summer Performances in the Park concerts. 

For more information or for interviews please contact Angela Sommer performances@ centralcaribooarts.com or call 250-305-4784

7) Garden Club Event - July 12th

Mark your calendar for July 12^th for this year’s Williams Lake Gardens and Arts Tour, this is a self guided tour sponsored by the Williams Lake Garden Club.

Nine unique gardens are featured, with the works of our local quilters, artists, potters, spinners and weavers interspersed.  Local musicians are also donating their time to entertain in some of the gardens.  Tickets are $10 and will be available on June 2^nd at the Open Book and Beaver Valley Feeds.  The gardens will be open for viewing from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Proceeds will be given to our local Hospice and Hough Memorial Cancer Society.  Contact Gerry Gebert at 1-250-0192 for further information.

The Garden Club also meets regularly at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with monthly guest speakers on topics of interest to gardeners and to answer questions and share extra plants - to get involved please contact Joanne Wright at j-wright@shaw.ca

8) Junior Council - Want to serve your community?

Are you a high school student in Williams Lake who wants to serve your community and learn about local government? Be the voice of the future for youth in Williams Lake.

For more information talk to a current Junior Council member Tanner, Monica, Hanna, Brooklyn, Rebekah or Gagan, or Anne Burrill at the City of Williams Lake by emailing aburrill@williamslake.ca or call 250-392-8480.

9) Punky Lake Wilderness Camp is hosting summer camps

They are hosting a co-ed youth camp at Gavin Lake on July 15, 16, 17th, a Boys only camp out at Punky camp on August 5-8th, and a Hockey camp in Williams Lake on August 28, 29the

For more information on any of the above please visit http://punkylake.com/ or call 250-392-3918

10) Boys & Girls Club - free weekly activities

a) Baseball for ages 6 - 12 until August 27th on Tuesday's from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in Kiwanis Park

b) Mountain Biking Program - two levels: 1) Intermediate/Advanced (suggested ages 12 - 18) on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, and 2) Beginner/Intermediate (suggested ages 7  - 11) on Thursday's from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

11) Free Event at the Library - A Sea Turtle Story

A Sea Turtle Story - Friday Jun 27th at 10:30 am

Free drop-in for the National Film Board Story "A Sea Turtle Story" and some turtle crafts.

12) Summer programs from the Recreation Complex

Note: The Recreation Complex will be closed on Canada Day, Tuesday July 1st

Summer Day Camp:

It is really this much fun! Join qualified and energetic instructors each action packs week for theme activities including games, field trips, crafts, experiments and more much more. Register for one day, one week or the whole summer.

Ages: 5 - 12 and must have completed Kindergarten 

July 2 - September 2, 8:00am - 5:00pm

  

Mountain Biking Skills Camp:

Join Kelli and Darren from Endless Biking this July and improve your mountain biking skills. These two have been biking professionally, teaching and guiding for year. 

Check out the website @ www.activewilliamslake.com or give them a call @ 250.398.7665 

13) Gardening workshops - Seed Saving & Mushroom Identification

a) Seed Saving workshop - Tuesday Jul 8 from 7 - 9:30 pm at the Gibraltar Room (16+ years of age)

b) Mushroom Identification - Thursday Jul 10th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Gibraltar Room (16+ years of age)

Contact the Recreation Complex for more information and to register at 250-398-7665

14) Scout Island Nature Centre & the WL Field Naturalists present  - Nature Fun (Jul 2 - Aug 21)

Discovering Nature close-up - a new program each day, weekdays Jul 2 - Aug 21st - two groups: 1) Ages 3-8 ($10/per session), and 2) Ages 8 - 13 ($10/per session). For more information or to register call 250-398-8532 or email scoutisland@shaw.ca

15) Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy - Family Fun day at Bell-E-Acres Jul 13th from 11 am - 3 pm

Par 3 golf, mini golf, putting and chipping contests, story tent, crafts, lawn games, face painting, food and prizes. Transportation is free - pick-up times 10:30 am at the Arena, 10:40  at Columneetza, and 10:50 am at Glendale Trading (Corner of Pine & Mackenzie). Return times are 1, 2 & 3pm. Sponsored by Heartland Toyota and Bell-E-Acres Golf Course.

16) Williams Lake Accessibility Committee - join the committee

The accessibility Committee meets in the first Tuesday of every month at City hall at 12 pm and is always open to the public.

17) Social Planning Council - summer 2014

The Social Planning Council will "see" you again in the fall. While we do not host meetings over the summer, updates will continue every second week until school reconvenes in September. For the first two weeks of July, the SPC office will be away from email. If you require assistance before then, please call an leave a message at 250-243-2126.